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NYAYA AND JAINA EPISTEMOLOGY....
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argumentation. It is essentially an intellectual, logical, analytical and epistemological system of thought. It is also called science of reasoning, or science of logic and epistemology which is remarkable for its critical approach to the problems. Its logical realism becomes obvious when it recognizes Pramāņa or valid means of knowledge as the first of the sixteen categories. This clearly brings out the important characteristic of the system, viz. its predominantly logical and epistemological interest in the study of any problem.
The distinctive feature of Nyāya is its logical method of inquiry, by the application of which Nyāya logicians demonstrate the falsity of scepticism and establish realism. An examination of sources of valid knowledge substantiates this view, according to these philosophers. Etymologically, the term Nyāya suggests that its aim is critical examination of the sources of valid knowledge by means of the canons of logical proof.
Nyāya is the science of right reasoning—the science of demonstration or correct knowledge.
It can justifiably be characterised as logical realism. It believes in independent existence of the objects of the world apart from mind. This realism of Nyāya has a logical basis, and is not just the result of mere faith or feeling or scriptural testimony. It is arrived at by critical reflections. It is because of this, that Nyāya deserves special attention as a system of realism. It is analytic in its approach. It discusses in detail the mechanisms of knowledge, arguing against sceptical consequences, resulting from the false analysis of the problem.
As regards the origin of knowledge, the views held by Nyā.-2
